The bill would amend the Large Carnivore
Act to exempt from the Act a person who allowed a patron to have direct or
close contact with a bear that was under 36 weeks of age or weighed not more
than 90 pounds, if the person met other criteria in the Act.

The Act prohibits the possession of a "large
carnivore" without a permit; regulates their handling and care; and
specifies owners' responsibilities in instances of attacks. "Large
carnivore" is defined as a bear or any of the following cats: a lion, leopard,
jaguar, tiger, cougar, panther, or cheetah.

The Act does not apply to a U.S. Department
of Agriculture Class C (animal exhibitor) licensee that meets all of the
following:

--Conducts
a business whose primary purpose is the presentation of animals to the public
for education or exhibition and that is not conducted in connection with another
business as a means of attracting customers to that other business.

--Meets
or exceeds all standards required of a Class C licensee.

--Does
not allow a patron to come into direct contact with a large carnivore, or come
into close enough contact with a large carnivore over 20 weeks of age that will
place the patron in jeopardy of being harmed by the large carnivore.

--Does
not sell large carnivores, except to someone who meets this exemption.

--Does
not breed large carnivores.

Under the bill, a licensee could not allow
a patron to come into direct contact with a large carnivore other than a
bear less than 36 weeks of age or a bear weighing 90 pounds or less. The
prohibition against allowing a patron to come into close contact with a large
carnivore over 20 weeks old would not apply to a bear less than 36 weeks of age
or a bear weighing not more than 90 pounds.

The bill also would delete the prohibition
against a Class C licensee's business being conducted in connection with
another business as a means of attracting customers to that other business.

MCL 287.1102 & 287.1122 Legislative
Analyst: Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on
State or local government.

Date Completed: 2-1-13 Fiscal
Analyst: Bruce Baker

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan
Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute
an official statement of legislative intent.